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This compelling text explores family violence throughout the life course, from child abuse and neglect to intimate partner violence and elder abuse. Paying special attention to the social character and institutional causes of family violence, Hattery and Smith ask students to consider how social inequality, especially gender inequality, contributes to tensions and explosive tendencies in family settings. Students learn about individual preventative measures and are also invited to question the justice of our current social structure, with implications for social policy and reorganization. The second edition features a new chapter focusing on institutionalized violence affecting families of the military and police, as well as a discussion on sports and sexual abuse cases occurring on college campuses. Hattery and Smith also examine violence against women globally and relate this to violence in the United States. Unique coverage of same-sex and multicultural couples, as well as of theory and methods, make this text an essential element of any course considering the sociology of family violence.

• “Angie Hattery and Earl Smith have turned their decades of experience researching, teaching, and writing about violence in families into a comprehensive, accessible book. Their wise choices and thorough presentations of intersectional, life course, and institutional frameworks central to sociological approaches make this a text suitable for introductory courses in sociology, family studies, and gender/race/class analysis, and specialized courses in criminology, violence, and social policies. This book goes far beyond most available treatments of violence in families. This book finally convinces me that it's not only possible but worthwhile to use a textbook to teach smart, curious undergraduates about sociology, families, and violence between people who ‘love' and depend on one another.” –Lisa D. Brush, University of Pittsburgh
• Praise for the Previous Edition
  “The Social Dynamics of Family Violence is a unique contribution to the family literature. The book provides a systematic examination of all forms of family violence (from intimate partner violence to child abuse to elder abuse to violence in gay and lesbian families) and does so in sociological fashion—social conditions and institutions (e.g., poverty, racism, and patriarchy), rather than individual-level factors, are highlighted as the driving forces. I highly recommend this book for adoption in undergraduate and graduate courses in sociology, social work, family studies, and in other related fields.” – Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, Duke University
• “I appreciated how the book was well organized which enhanced my learning and understanding of such a difficult topic as a whole. The chosen topics in the book built my understanding and interests one issue after another. Hattery and Smith's wealth of knowledge and research was organized in a fairly conducive way that enhanced my knowledge of the different types of abuse (e.g., child abuse, elder abuse, intimate partner violence). They not only increased my knowledge but offered great hopes and wisdoms to tackle such an important issue that effects families from all backgrounds across the nation.” —Nancy Xiong, Student
  
  “As a student who had no prior knowledge about family violence, I found the book highly accessible. Not only were concepts thoroughly explained, but the real life examples really put it into context for me. It was definitely one of the most relevant books I have read in a while!” —Joyous Tharrington, Student